'59 Johnson 35/2 questions

dostoy320

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Ok... first of all... How much smoke is too much smoke? I got the motor running with 24:1, but it smoked like nothing I've ever seen - even way leaned out. Then, I mixed something around 32:1 and that seemed better but still pretty damn smoky. The engine sounds good - is this smoke common on the old engines?<br /><br />Second question: anyone have any experience with the solenoid mounted in the wiring box? I'm still having erratic/no starter problems. I took that solenoid out, unscrewed one of the large terminals and pushed the terminal in a way to see what I could see. It looked pretty gummed up, so I sprayed some electrical cleaner in there and then sprayed some penetrating oil as well. It seems a bit better now but not perfect. Is there some sort of mechanism in there that moves around to connect the + wire to the starter?<br /><br />Thanks...<br /><br />adam
 

JB

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Re: '59 Johnson 35/2 questions

Yup. A solenoid is a large capacity relay. Small current in closes a big switch to supply big current to the starter motor.<br /><br />Go back to 24:1. Old engines on 24:1 smoke a lot, but they last. 32:1 might kill it.
 

rolmops

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Re: '59 Johnson 35/2 questions

Hello Dostoy.<br />I presume you ran the engine in a barrel.It should not really smoke all that bad.the reason for this problem usually is the adjustment of the high and low speed needle valve in the carburator.<br />Starter problems with this engine are sort of weird.The ground for the solenoid switch does not just go to the nearest ground.It goes from the solenoid to the vacuum shutoff on the engine and from there it continues to the mercury shutoff switch which sits right under the spot where you hook your remote accelerator cable.All these connections have to be clean for this thing to start.This was done in order to prevent "runaway engines". Many people just neutralize the mercury switch and take the wire from the side of the vacuum switch to the nearest ground.I dont have time now to explain the needle valve settings,but something tells me that, that post is in the making already.<br />good luck.
 

Paul Moir

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Re: '59 Johnson 35/2 questions

Some people have found synthetic oils at the required mix (24:1) to smoke less. You might want to give it a try.<br /><br />When you replace your solenoid get the proper marine one; automotive ones don't work right - they're wired differently internally. Iboats sells SW622 that should work well.
 

dostoy320

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Re: '59 Johnson 35/2 questions

All right... thanks guys. I'm going to check the wiring to that solenoid again, and I guess I'll just live with the smoking or try some synthetic.<br /><br />You know, I foolishly screwed out the jets a couple of days ago, and it took me a lot of trial and error to get them set to where the engine would run again. I've read the FAQ on jetting now, so I have an idea, but it seems like mine had to be screwed out pretty far. And there is an odd relationship between the low and high speed needles. I could set the low where it ran nicely, but if I leaned out the high a bit too much it would cough at low speeds and then I had to richen the low and back and forth and back and forth..... Still... fun to play with I guess.<br /><br />Thanks again for all the advice gentlemen.
 

dostoy320

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Re: '59 Johnson 35/2 questions

Yeah Paul, that's the one I read. Everything in that post made sense except for the fact that my lowspeed needle had to be screwed out quite a bit further than Joe suggested in his post.
 

Paul Moir

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Re: '59 Johnson 35/2 questions

One of your two low speed orifaces may still be clogged. Check out the two tiny holes just above the throttle plate inside the throat of the carb. Proper access to them is through the soft plug in the top of the carb directly above them, which is destroyed when you remove it. A new one comes with a carb kit.
 

alcan

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Re: '59 Johnson 35/2 questions

Hi dostoy<br />Remember, you need to dial in the high speed needle first. In order to do this correctly the motor needs to be at full throtle. This is almost impossible to do in a test tank with out a test wheel. Now, the high speed needle meters the amount of fuel for the high speed circut (the main nozzle), it also meters the amount of fuel available to the low speed circut. The low speed needle controls this available fuel. The low speed circut will only function when the throtle valve (the butterfly) is fully closed. So in order to adjust the low speed needle the throtle valve must be closed. At 24:1 these older motors will smoke a bit more than the newer ones. How ever it isn't all that much and at high speed it should be barely noticable if at all. The reason you have too much smoke is there is something wrong. To adjust the needle valves the rest of the fuel system has to be in order as well. AS paul suggested you my have crud in your low speed circut. Remove the needle and clean the passages with spray cleaner and compressed air. You may have an air leak at the connector,the needle packing,etc. This would tend to cause a too lean condition. The float may be out of adjustment. Remove the knobs and linkages to the needles when setting and making adustments. Use your bars fingers, This will help prevent getting false readings. When you lightly seat a needle it will be seated and not against a stop on the knob,etc. Be sure the packing nuts are just snug. this prevents the needle from virbrating loose and causing excessive wear. Remember too much smoke equals too much fuel and not enough air, not too much oil, usually. I have had fella's who's math skills were something to be desired. I think they forgot to add the gasoline to the tank. I have also seen many chain saws with the fuel tanks full of bar oil.
 

dostoy320

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Re: '59 Johnson 35/2 questions

Ok... I think I'm just going to tear down the carb and make sure everything is spottless. Enough screwing around. And then, per alcan's advice, I'll get it out on the water and get those needles adjusted correctly.<br /><br />Again, your help has been most valuable gentlemen. I thank you...
 

alcan

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Re: '59 Johnson 35/2 questions

Hi Dostoy<br />You may be able to make the adjustments while on the trailer, backed down the ramp. You might also try tieing off to a section of dock. whizzing across the water at full speed while trying to make adjustments can be tough. Just make sure what ever you do, do it safely and politely as possible.
 
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